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Both Ford and Toyota license parts of the technology from each other, both own some of the patents needed. I don't believe any money is paid either direction, that the cross-licensing is roughly "equal value."

This is only our first week with a 2018 C-Max Hybrid. We are seeing 50.7mpg with 60% EV use after five days of commuting (45 minutes each way on suburban 45-55mph roads with stop lights and stretches of open road cruising). Yesterday I even managed to climb some rolling hills with it staying in EV mode (momentum seemed to help).

Our "coach" scores for acceleration, braking, and cruising are blue most of the time, with only occasional amber moments such as when entering a freeway.

We are thrilled with these numbers after reading the sour grapes reviews online that C-max averages in the 30mpg range.

The greatest frustration so far is with other drivers who speed up and slow down erratically, making it hard to plan ahead with de-cel and braking.

You're off to a good start and it should only get better! Agree that other drivers can be nuts - like tearing around you so they can immediately hit the brakes as they go off an exit. Anyway, enjoy the new car - you got yours just in time!

Yes it is but it looks very similar to the Aisin design. Worth watching the video. But Ford may still have to pay a licensing fee.

Ford and Toyota developed similar hybrid systems independently of each other, based on work originally done by TRW. Basically, Ford and Toyota both license patents from the other for their hybrid systems, I'm not sure that any money is actually paid either way.

"Under the agreement announced yesterday, Toyota will license to Ford a patented hybrid control system that links a gasoline engine with an electric motor. The companies refused to disclose the terms of the licensing agreement or how much Ford would pay in royalties. In addition, the companies agreed to license to each other emission reduction technologies that each has developed."

^^LOL^^, looks like a $25 royalty per unit. Bottom line: Does any of this really matter??? Generally, the first to file patent wins even though many may be developing a sijmilar product at the same time. We can only speculate on what all the licensing agreement might "actually" say / allow without the actual documents.

" Since 1992, Paice has focused exclusively on enabling automakers to design and develop cost-effective hybrid electric vehicles that deliver superior fuel economy and performance. It has licensed its hybrid vehicle technology portfolio to the world’s most significant hybrid automakers – Toyota, Ford, Hyundai/Kia, and others – who collectively account for more than 80% of all hybrid vehicle sales in the United States."

AICE PRESS RELEASE | APRIL 12, 2018

Ford licenses hybrid vehicle patents from Paice, Abell FoundationFour out of every five hybrid-electric vehicles in the world now have a Paice license.

30mpg?that would be almost impossible in the cmax.. Even in - 30 centigrade i was getting about 35mpg. Summer weather getting about 45mpg now (new tires too). If youre getting 50 that is amazing! I love my cmax.

DarenHayes, I think the "30-ish mpg" comments were from online trolls we discovered when doing research before our purchase.

After one month, we're averaging 51.5mpg and approximately 59% EV use. My wife is deferring her next fill-up so we can join the 600-mile club, or better. She also loves not having to stop for gas after work or in bad weather.